Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra

by C. G. Kashikar | 1964 | 166,530 words

The English translation of the Bharadvaja-Srauta-Sutra, representing some of the oldest texts on Hindu rituals and rites of passages, dating to at least the 1st millennium BCE. The term Srautasutra refers to a class of Sanskrit Sutra literature dealing with ceremonies based on the Brahmana divisions of the Veda (Sruti). They include Vedic rituals r...

Praśna 2, Kaṇḍikā 13

1. And he should fold them for the Āhavanīya fire with the formula, “Thou art the world; do thou be extended; O Agni, the sacrifices this obeisance to thee.”[1]

2. He should take up the Juhū with the formula, “O Juhū, do thou come hither; Agni summons thee for the offering to the gods’ the Upabhṛt with the formula, “O Upabhṛt, do thou come hither; god Savitṛ summons thee for the offering to the gods.”[2]

3. He should keep the Juhū on the Upabhṛt with the formula, “Do you two become well-restrained today, rich in ghee, well turned up, well turned towards.”

4. In this connection this is the general rule: Whenever he has to hold the Juhū upon the Upabhṛt, he should raise it up from in front of the beak (of the Upabhṛt), and also take it down from below the beak.

5-6. He should not cause the two ladles to make noise (while keeping the one upon the other), and hold them at the height of his navel. According to some teachers, he should hold them at the height of his breaths (i.e. his nose).

7. With the formula, “O Agni and Viṣṇu, May I not step down upon you. Do you two remain apart; do you not burn me; do you, O makers of place, make a place for me,”[3] he should cross (the altar) in front of the Dḥruvā without disturbing the prastara.

8. With the formula, “Thou art the abode of Viṣṇu,”[4] he should stand towards the south.

9. His right foot should be within the altar; the left one as if touching the heel of the right foot.

10. The Adhvaryu, while he is standing and while the sacrificer is touching him, should offer, with the formula, “The sacrifice has become

erect, touching the heaven; the sacrifice of the lord of sacrifice is undisturbed, offered to Indra, svāhā,”[5] a continuous and straight āghāra-libation towards the north-east, beginning from the southern joint of the enclosing sticks.

11. He should offer the āghāra-libation of a sacrificer, who is desirous of rains, (holding the ladle) below (the navel). That of a sacrificer who is desirous of heaven, (holding the ladle) above the navel.

12. He should offer this (libation) as the largest of the offerings.

13. After having offered the libation he should breathe out.

14. With the formula, “hiṃ, great light,”[6] he should lift up the ladle.

15. Without allowing the ladles to touch each other, he should recross (the altar).

Footnotes and references:

[2]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.12.1.

[3]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.12.1.

[4]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.12.1.

[5]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.12.1.

[6]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.12.2.

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